Image taking system

ABSTRACT

In an image taking system, when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer or an automatic image taking system, exposure conditions and a focusing position are determined according to result of detection of the predetermined objective body at least once between the time when instruction to take a running image is done and the time when the running image is actually taken.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an image taking system such as a digital stillcamera with a self-timer function or an automatic photographingfunction.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been put into practice a digital camera and a digital videocamera having a self-timer function which actually takes an image of anobject predetermined times after depression of a shutter release buttonor an automatic photographing function which actually takes an image ofan object at an arbitrary timing. For example, an image taking system,where photographing is carried out at a desired timing without affectedby the self-timer by starting or terminating the photographing, whenafter a desired part is designated on an through image, the desired partchanges (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-196934), and anautomatic image taking system where a human to be photographed isdetected in the image input into the camera, whether the photographedstate is good or bad is determined from the position of the human to bephotographed, and the photographing is carried out when the photographedstate is good, whereby a picture free from unnatural loss of a part ofthe face or the body of the human to be photographed (JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-003852), have been proposed.

On the other hand, in an image taking system such as a digital camera,there has been done AE processing, where exposure conditions aredetermined according to a detected predetermined object body bydetecting the predetermined object body in a through image or apre-image taken in response to semi-depression of the shutter releasebutton, or AF processing where a focusing position (a position in whichthe camera is in focus) is determined according to a detectedpredetermined object body by detecting the predetermined object body ina through image or a pre-image taken in response to semi-depression ofthe shutter release button. However, when photographing is done by theuse of the self-timer function or the automatic photographing function,since there is a time interval between the time when the shutter releasebutton is full-depressed, i.e., when instruction to start photographingis done, and the time when a running exposure is started, i.e., when arunning photographing is started, for instance, when the photographingis carried out with the human to be photographed employed as the objectbody, the conditions of the object body can change whereby thebrightness of the object body and/or imaging position can be shifted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing observations and description, the primaryobject of the present invention is to provide an image taking systemwhich can obtain an image where the brightness and/or the focusingposition are suitable when photographing is done by the use of theself-timer function or the automatic photographing function.

An image taking system of the present invention comprises

an image taking means which takes an image by an image taking togenerate image data on the image,

an objective body detecting means which detects a predeterminedobjective body from image data,

an exposure determination means which determines the exposure conditionsaccording to result of detection of a predetermined objective body,

a focusing means which determines the focusing position according toresult of detection of a predetermined objective body,

an image taking instructing means which instructs to an image takingmeans to take a running image according to exposure conditions and afocusing position, respectively determined by the exposure determinationmeans and, the focusing means, and

a self-timer means which permits taking a running image after apredetermined time from instruction of an image taking designatingmeans, and/or an automatic image taking means which permits taking therunning image at a predetermined timing,

wherein the improvement comprises in that

when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer means oran automatic image taking means, exposure conditions and a focusingposition are determined according to result of detection of apredetermined objective body at least once between the time wheninstruction to take a running image is done by an image takinginstructing means and the time when the running image is actually taken.

In the image taking system of the present invention,

when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer means,exposure conditions and a focusing position may be determined by anexposure determination means and a focusing means according to result ofdetection of an objective body at least once a predetermined time afterinstruction to take a running image is done by an image takinginstructing means.

In the image taking system of the present invention,

when a running image is to be taken by the use of the self-timer means,exposure conditions and a focusing position may be determined by anexposure determination means and a focusing means according to result ofdetection of the predetermined objective body at least once during apredetermined time from the time when instruction to take the runningimage is done by an image taking instructing means.

In the image taking system of the present invention,

when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer means oran automatic image taking means, exposure conditions and/or a focusingposition may be determined by a exposure determination means and afocusing means irrespective of result of detection of an objective bodywhen a running image is taken in response to instruction by an imagetaking instructing means.

In the image taking system of the present invention,

when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer means,exposure conditions and a focusing position may be determined by anexposure determination means and a focusing means according to result ofdetection of the objective body at least once at a predetermined timeduring a predetermined time from the time when instruction to take therunning image is done by an image taking instructing means.

In the image taking system of the present invention,

exposure conditions and a focusing position may be determined by anexposure determination means and a focusing means when a plurality ofobject bodies are detected by an objective body detecting means or apredetermined time thereafter.

In the image taking system of the present invention, it is preferredthat when a objective body is detected by an objective body detectingmeans, a focusing position be determined in an area of the objectivebody by a focusing means, while when an objective body is not detectedby an objective body detecting means, a focusing position be determinedin a predetermined area by a focusing means.

In the image taking system of the present invention, it is preferredthat when a first focusing position is determined by a focusing meansbefore an image taking instructing means instructs to the image takingmeans to take a running image, a first focusing position is determinedin an area of the objective body by a focusing means when apredetermined objective body is detected by an objective body detectingmeans, and when an image taking instructing means instructs to the imagetaking means to take a running image, after a first focusing position isdetermined, a second focusing position is determined by a focusing meanswhen a predetermined objective body is detected by an objective bodydetecting means after a first focusing position is determined while whenan image taking instructing means instructs to the image taking means totake a running image, after a first focusing position is determined, afocusing position is not determined by a focusing means when apredetermined objective body is not detected by an objective bodydetecting means after a first focusing position is determined.

The image taking system of the present invention may be further providedwith a mode selecting means for selecting a particular image taking modeand executing the same, and when a particular image taking mode isselected by way of a mode selecting means to take a running image by theuse of a self-timer means or an automatic image taking means, exposureconditions and/or a focusing position may be determined according toresult of detection of a predetermined objective body by an exposuredetermination means and/or a focusing means between the time wheninstruction to take the running image is done by an image takinginstructing means and the time when the running image is actually taken.

In the image taking system of the present invention, it is preferredthat a particular image taking mode be self-photographing mode where animage of user himself (herself) is taken or face detection-using imagetaking mode where the objective body is a face.

The image taking system of the present invention may be arranged so thatwhen a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer means oran automatic image taking means only by selecting a particular imagetaking mode by way of a mode selecting means, exposure conditions and/ora focusing position may be determined by an exposure determination meansand a focusing means according to result of detection of an objectivebody in response to instruction to take the running image from an imagetaking instructing means.

Further, the image taking system of the present invention may bearranged so that when a running image is to be taken by the use of aself-timer means or an automatic image taking means, exposure conditionsand/or a focusing position may be determined by an exposuredetermination means and a focusing means after objective bodies detectedby an objective body detecting means increases in number.

Further, the image taking system of the present invention may bearranged so that when a running image is to be taken by the use of aself-timer means or an automatic image taking means, exposure conditionsand/or a focusing position may be determined by an exposuredetermination means and a focusing means a predetermined time afterobjective bodies detected by an objective body detecting means increasesin number.

Further, the image taking system of the present invention may bearranged so that when a running image is to be taken by the use of aself-timer means or an automatic image taking means, exposure conditionsand/or a focusing position may be determined by an exposuredetermination means and a focusing means after objective bodies detectedby an objective body detecting means increases in number and result ofdetection of an objective body is stabilized. In this specification,“after result of detection of an objective body is stabilized” meanswhen the amount of fluctuation of detected objective bodies becomessmaller than a predetermined threshold value.

In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided witha second image taking system comprising

an image taking means which takes an image by an image taking togenerate image data on the image,

an objective body detecting means which detects a predeterminedobjective body from an image data,

an exposure determination means which determines the exposure conditionsaccording to result of detection of a predetermined objective body,

a focusing means which determines the focusing position according toresult of detection of a predetermined objective body,

an image taking instructing means which instructs to the image takingmeans to take a running image according to the exposure conditions andthe focusing position, respectively determined by the exposuredetermination means and, the focusing means, and

a self-timer means which permits taking the running image after apredetermined time from instruction of an image taking designatingmeans, and/or an automatic image taking means which permits taking therunning image at a predetermined timing, wherein the improvementcomprises in that

when the running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer meansand an automatic image taking means, the timing at which the exposureconditions and/or the focusing position are determined according toresult of detection of a predetermined objective body can be arbitrarilydetermined by the user.

Further, the image taking system of the present invention may be furtherprovided with a setting means which sets detecting conditions by theobjective body detecting means to a condition where one of a pluralityof objective bodies in different states is detected and/or a selectionmeans for selecting one of a plurality of objective bodies in differentstates detected by the objective body detecting means.

Further, the image taking system of the present invention is preferredthat setting by the setting means or selection by the selection means bedone when a running image is taken by the use of a self-timer means oran automatic image taking means.

Setting by the setting means or selection by the selection means be doneeither automatically or manually, and when setting by the setting meansor selection by the selection means is automatically done, the objectivebody in the state determined in advance can be detected or selectedautomatically in response to selection of the self-timer photographingand the automatic photographing. When setting by the setting means orselection by the selection means is manually done, for instance, aplurality of detecting conditions may be displayed in the display suchas a liquid crystal screen so that the user can arbitrarily selecttherefrom, or a plurality of frames surrounding a plurality of objectivebodies in different states so that the user manually select only theframe that surrounds an objective body desired by the user.

Further, it is preferred that the “a plurality of objective bodies indifferent states” be a plurality of objective bodies which are differentin orientations, in sizes, or in inclinations.

Further, it is preferred that the selection means does not select theobjective body the amount of fluctuation of which is larger than apredetermined value. Here, “the amount of fluctuation” means, forinstance, the amount of movement of position of the objective body, theamount of fluctuation of size of the objective body or the rate ofchange of the orientation of the objective body.

Further, when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timermeans, setting by the setting means or selection by the selection meansmay be done at a predetermined time during a predetermined time.

Further, setting by the setting means or selection by the selectionmeans may be arranged to be able to be done arbitrarily by the user.

The image taking system of the present invention is preferred to befurther provided with a transmission means transferring to the user thata predetermined objective body is not detected yet when thepredetermined objective body is not detected. This transmission meansmay transfer to the user that a predetermined objective body is detectedwhen the predetermined objective body is detected.

The image taking system of the present invention is preferred to beprovided with a plurality of transmission means and one of thetransmission means can be arbitrary selected or set by the user.

In accordance with the present invention, since when a running image isto be taken by the use of a self-timer means or an automatic imagetaking means, exposure conditions and a focusing position are determinedaccording to result of detection of a predetermined objective body atleast once between the time when instruction to take a running image isdone by an image taking instructing means and the time when the runningimage is actually taken, when an objective body is detected after thetime when instruction to take a running image is done by an image takinginstructing means, exposure conditions and/or a focusing position can bedetermined in an area of the objective body. With this arrangement, evenif an image of user himself (herself) is taken, that is, the userhimself (herself) is an objective body, there can be obtained a picturewhere the user himself (herself) is in a suitable brightness and infocus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first digital camera as viewedfrom rear,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first digital camera as viewedfrom front,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing structure of the first digital camera,

FIG. 4 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating processing of theself-timer photographing,

FIG. 5 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating second processingof the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 6A is a part of a view showing a flowchart for illustrating thesecond processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 6B is the other part of a view showing a flowchart for illustratingthe second processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 7A is a part of a view showing a flowchart for illustrating thethird processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 7B is the other part of a view showing a flowchart for illustratingthe third processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 8A is a part of a view showing a flowchart for illustrating thefourth processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 8B is the other part of a view showing a flowchart for illustratingthe fourth processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIGS. 9A to 9C are views showing examples of menu displays for theself-timer photographing,

FIG. 10 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating the fifthprocessing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing structure of a second digital camera,

FIG. 12 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating a first exampleof face detecting condition setting processing,

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views for illustrating an example of result of theface detection,

FIG. 14 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating a second exampleof face detecting condition setting processing,

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for illustrating another example of resultof the face detection,

FIGS. 16A and 16B are views showing examples of menu displays for theself-timer photographing,

FIG. 17 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating a third exampleof face detecting condition setting processing,

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing structure of a third digital camera,

FIG. 19A is a part of a view showing a flowchart for illustrating thesixth processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 19B is the other part of a view showing a flowchart forillustrating the sixth processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIGS. 20A and 20B are views for illustrating another example of resultof the face detection respectively showing without and with taking intoaccount the amount of fluctuation,

FIG. 21A is a part of a view showing a flowchart for illustrating theseventh processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 21B is the other part of a view showing a flowchart forillustrating the seventh processing of the self-timer photographing,

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the fourth digital camera asviewed from front, and

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing structure of the fourth digitalcamera.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe drawings, hereinbelow. Though, digital cameras will be described inthe following embodiments, application of the present invention need notbe limited to the digital cameras but may be, other electronicinstruments provided with an electronic imaging function such as amobile phone with a camera or a PDA with a camera.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of the digital camera as viewed from rearand the front. As shown in FIG. 1, as an interface for control by thephotographer, an action mode switch 11, a menu/OK button (input means)12, a zoom up and down lever 13, a right and left button 14, a back(return) button 15 and a display switching button 16 are provided on therear surface of the body of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1is further provided with a finder 17 for image taking and a liquidcrystal monitor 18 and a shutter release button 19 (an image takinginstructing means) for image taking and for reproduction and a facedetecting button 27.

The action mode switch 11 is a slide switch for switching the actionmodes between a still image taking mode, an animation taking mode and areproduction mode.

The menu/OK button 12 is a button for displaying on the monitor 18various menus for setting the image taking mode, a strobe lighting mode,ON and OFF of the self-timer, recording pixel number or sensitivitieseach time it is depressed, and for selection/setting on the basis of themenu displayed on the monitor 18.

When the zoom/up and down lever 13 is inclined up and down, tele/wide ofthe camera 1 is adjusted when an image is to be taken and the cursordisplayed in the menu screen displayed on the monitor 18 is moved up anddown when various values are set. The right and left button 14 is abutton for moving right and left the cursor in the menu screen displayedon the monitor 18 when various values are set.

When the back (return) button 15 is depressed, setting of the variousvalues is interrupted, and the processing is returned to the precedingscreen displayed on the monitor 18. The display switching button 16 is abutton for switching ON and OFF of the display on the monitor 18,various guidance messages, ON and OFF of the character display whendepressed. The finder 17 is viewed when taking an image to obtain adesired composition of a picture and to bring the object into focus. Theimage of the object viewed through the finder 17 is displayed on thefinder window 23 provided in the front face of the camera body 10. Theface detecting button 27 is a button for switching ON and OFF of theface detection by a face detecting portion to be described later.

The contents set by the control of the button or the lever can berecognized through, for instance, the display on the monitor 18, thelamp in the finder, or the position of the slide lever. Further, themonitor 18 displays a through image for confirming the object whentaking an image. With this arrangement, the monitor 18 displays a stillimage and an animation after photographing and various menus as well asfunctions as an electronic viewfinder. When the shutter release button19 is semi-depressed, an AE processing and an AF processing to bedescribed later are carried out and when the shutter release button 19is full-depressed, an image is taken on the basis of data output throughthe AE processing and the AF processing, and the image displayed by themonitor 18 is recorded as the taken image.

As shown in FIG. 2, a taking lens 20, a lens cover 21, a power switch22, the finder window 23, a strobe light 24, a self-timer lamp 25 and anAF auxiliary light 28 are provided on the front surface of the camerabody 10. A medium slot 26 is provided on the side surface of the camerabody 10.

The taking lens 20 is for imaging an image of the object on apredetermined imaging surface (e.g., a CCD inside the camera body 10)and comprises a focusing lens, a zoom lens and the like. The lens cover21 covers the surface of the taking lens 20, for instance, when thepower source of the digital camera 1 is off or when the digital camera 1is in the reproduction mode, to protect the taking lens 20 from stain,dirt and the like.

The power switch 22 turns on and off the power source of the digitalcamera 1. The strobe light 24 momentarily irradiates the object with anecessary amount of light while the shutter release button 19 isdepressed and the shutter in the camera body 10 is opened. Theself-timer lamp 25 is for informing the object of the shutter open/closetiming, i.e., the start and the end of the exposure, when an image istaken with the self-timer.

The AF auxiliary light 28 comprises, for instance, an LED, and is formaking easy to execute AF processing to be described later by projectinglight narrowed in the range which it covers, that is throttled lightonto the object for a long time. The medium slot 26 is a port in whichan external recording medium 70 such as a memory card is loaded, andwhen the external recording medium 70 is loaded therein, read-out orwrite-in of data is carried out.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the digital camera 1. Asshown in FIG. 3, as the control system of the digital camera 1, thereare provided the action mode switch 11, the menu/OK button 12, thezoom/up and down lever 13, the right and left button 14, back (return)button 15, the display switching button 16, the shutter release button19, the power switch 22 and a control system control portion 74 which isan interface for transferring the contents of control of the elementsdescribed above to a CPU 75.

As the taking lens 20, a focusing lens 20 a and a zoom lens 20 b areprovided. The lenses 20 a and 20 b are stepwise driven respectively by afocusing lens driver 51 and a zoom lens driver 52 comprising an electricmotor and a motor driver to be moved in the direction of the opticalaxis. The focusing lens driver 51 stepwise drives the focusing lens 20 aon the basis of focus driving amount data output from an AF portion 62.The zoom lens driver 51 stepwise drives the zoom lens 20 b on the basisof data on the amount of control of the zoom/up and down lever 13.

A diaphragm 54 is driven by a diaphragm driver 55 comprising an electricmotor and a motor driver. The diaphragm driver 55 adjusts the diameterof opening of the diaphragm 54 on the basis of diaphragm data outputfrom an AE (automatic exposure)/AWB (automatic white balance) portion 63(automatic exposure control means).

Shutter 56 is a mechanical shutter and is driven by a shutter driver 57comprising an electric motor and a motor driver. The shutter driver 57controls open/closure of the shutter 56 on the basis of a signalgenerated in response to depression of the shutter release button 19 andshutter speed data output from the AE/AWB portion 63.

Behind the optical system described above, a CCD 58 which is animage-taking element is provided. The CCD 58 has a photoelectric surfacecomprising a lot of light receiving elements arranged in matrix, and animage of the object passing through the optical system is imaged on thephotoelectric surface to be photoelectrically converted. Forward of thephotoelectric surface, there are disposed a micro-lens array (not shown)for collecting light on each of the pixels and a color-filter array (notshown) comprising a lot of red filters, green filters and blue filterswhich are regularly arranged. The CCD 58 outputs electric chargesaccumulated by the pixels line by line as image signals insynchronization with vertical and horizontal clock signals supplied froma CCD control portion 59. The electric charge accumulating time of eachpixel, that is, the exposure time, is determined by an electronicshutter-drive signal given by the CCD control portion 59.

The image signals output from the CCD 58 are input into an analog signalprocessing portion 60. The analog signal processing portion 60 comprisesa correlation double sampling circuit (CDS) for removing noise of theimage signal, an auto-gain controller (AGC) for adjusting the gain ofthe analog signal and an A/D converter (ADC) for converting the imagesignals to digital image data. The digital image data is a CCD-RAW datahaving R, G, B density values by each of the pixels.

A timing generator 72 generates timing signals, and the timing signalsare input into the shutter driver 57, the CCD control portion 59 and theanalog signal processing portion 60 to synchronize operation of theshutter button 19, open and closure of the shutter 56, taking in of theelectric charge of the CCD 58 and processing by the analog signalprocessing portion 60. A strobe control portion 73 controls the lightemitting action of the strobe light 24.

An image input controller 61 writes, in a frame memory 68, the CCD-RAWdata input from the analog signal processing portion 60. The framememory 68 is a working memory for use when each of various digital imageprocessing (signal processing) to be described later is to be carriedout on the image data, and may comprise, for instance, an SDRAM(synchronous dynamic random access memory) which transfers data insynchronization with bus clock signals of a constant period.

A display control portion 71 is for displaying as a through image, onthe monitor 18, image data stored in the frame memory 68 and integratesa brightness (Y) signal and a color (C) signal into a composite signalto output the composite signal to the monitor 18. The through image istaken at predetermined time intervals by the CCD 58 while the imagetaking mode is selected. Further, the display control portion 71 permitsto display an image, on the monitor 18, based on image data included inan image file stored in the external recording medium 7 and read out bya medium control portion 69.

The face detecting portion 65 detects the face of a human from imagedata stored in the frame memory 68 that is the through image.Specifically, the face detecting portion 65 detects as a face area thearea having features of the face included in the face (for instance, hasa skin color, has eyes, or has a contour of the face, or the like).However, the face detecting portion 65 need not be limited to such astructure. When the face detecting button 27 is set ON, the facedetecting portion 65 normally detects the face of a human from thethrough image. In the present invention, the face detecting portion 65may be formed by soft-ware or integrated alone.

The AF portion (focusing means) 62 detects the focusing position on thebasis of result of detection of the face detected from the image data bythe face detecting portion 65 and outputs focusing-lens drive amountdata (AF processing). As the method of detecting the focusing point inthis embodiment, a passive system where the focusing point is detectedon the basis of a feature that the contrast of an image increases whenthe image is in focus is applied.

The AE/AWB portion (exposure determining means) 63 measures thebrightness of the object on the basis of result of detection of the facedetected from the image data by the face detecting portion 65 anddetermines diaphragm value and shutter speed on the basis of themeasured brightness of the object, thereby outputting the diaphragmvalue data and shutter speed data (AE processing) while automaticallyadjusts white balance (AWB processing) upon image-taking.

An image processing portion 64 carries out the image quality correctionssuch as a γ correction, a sharpness correction and a contrast correctionon the image data of the running image, and carries out YC processingwhere the CCD-RAW data is converted to YC data comprising Y data whichis a brightness signal, Cb data which is a blue difference signal and Crdata which is a red difference signal. This “running image” is an imagebased on image data which is stored in the frame memory 68 by way of theanalog signal processing portion 60 and the image input controller 61after an image signal is output from the CCD 58 in response tofull-depression of the shutter release button 19.

Though the upper limit of the number of pixels of the “running image” isgoverned by the number of pixels of the CCD 58, the number of pixelsused in the recording can be changed, for instance, by the user'ssetting an image quality (fine, normal and the like). On the other hand,the number of pixels of the through image and/or a pre-image may besmaller than that of the running image, for instance, about 1/16thereof. The pre-image is based on image data stored in the frame memory68 as a result from the CPU's causing the CCD 58 to executepre-photographing upon receipt of a semi-depression signal generated inresponse to semi-depression of the shutter release button 19.

The self-timer image-taking portion (self-timer photographing means) 66is provided with a timer system (not shown) which measures lapse of apredetermined waiting time (e.g., 5 seconds from full-depression of theshutter release button 19) from full-depression of the shutter releasebutton 19 to the time that a running image is actually taken, andcontrols the system through the timing generator 72 so that a depressionsignal of the shutter release button 19 is output to the shutter driveportion 57 when the timer system measures 0. The self-timer lamp 25 isblinked during the waiting time for informing the photographer or thelike of the start of the exposure. The ON/OFF of the self-timer by theself-timer image-taking portion 66 may be selected on the selectionscreen on the monitor 18 or may be set by providing a self-timer timerbutton on the rear surface of the camera body 10.

A compression/expansion processing portion 67 compresses, for instance,in JPEG format, the image data of the running image which has beenprocessed with the correction and the conversion by the image processingportion 64 and generates an image file. To this image file, a tag inwhich information such as photographing date is stored on the basis ofthe format or the like is attached. This compression/expansionprocessing portion 67, in a reproduction mode, reads out the compressedimage file from the external recording medium 70 and expands it.Expanded image data is output to the display control portion 71 and thedisplay control portion 71 displays an image on the basis of the imagedata on the monitor 18.

The medium control portion 69 corresponds to a medium slot 26 in FIG. 2and controls read and write of the image file and the like stored in theexternal recording medium 70.

The CPU 75 controls each element of the digital camera 1 according tocontrol of the various buttons, levers and switches, and signals fromthe various function blocks. Further, a data bus 76 is connected to theimage input controller 61, each of the processing portions 62 to 64 and67, the face detecting portion 65, the self-timer image-taking portion66, the frame memory 68, the various control portions 69, 71, and theCPU 75, and each of the pieces of data such as the digital image data istransmitted and received by way of the data bus 76.

An operation of the digital camera 1 when taking an image will bedescribed, hereinbelow. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a series ofprocessing in the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 75 firstdetermines whether the working mode of the digital camera 1 is the imagetaking mode or the reproduction mode according to the setting of theaction mode switch 11 (step S1). When it is determined that the workingmode is the reproduction mode, the reproduction is carried out (stepS2), where the medium control portion 69 reads out the image file storedin the external recording medium 70 and displays on the monitor 18 animage on the basis of the image data in the data file. After thereproduction is ended, the CPU 75 determines whether the power source ofthe digital camera 1 is off (step S9) and when the power source of thedigital camera 1 has been turned off (step S9:YES), the CPU 75 breaksthe power source of the digital camera 1 and ends the processing. Whenthe power source of the digital camera 1 has not been turned off (stepS9:NO), the CPU 75 shifts its processing to step S1.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the workingmode is the image-taking mode, the CPU 75 displays a though image.Displaying a though image is a processing to display on the monitor 18an image based on image data stored in the frame memory 68. Then the CPU75 determines whether the self-timer is ON (step S4). When theself-timer is not ON (step S4:NO), normal image taking is carried out(step S5), where image taking of a running image is started upondepression of the shutter release button 19. When the self-timer is ON(step S4:YES), the CPU 75 permits the self-timer photographing portion66 to carry out the self-timer photographing (step S6).

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for illustrating operation of the camera 1 whenthe self-timer image-taking is carried out. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU75 first determines whether the face detecting button 27 is ON (stepS21). When the face detecting button 27 is not ON (step S21:NO), afterinstructing the center of the object as the focusing area, or the AFarea (step S24), the CPU 75 shifts its processing to step S25. On theother hand, when the face detecting button 27 is ON (step S21:YES), theface detecting portion 65 normally detects the face in the image datastored in the frame memory 68 in parallel to the flow of operation ofthe camera 1 when the self-timer image-taking is carried out.

Then the CPU 75 determines whether a face has been detected (step S22).When a face has been detected (step S22:YES), the CPU 75 instructs thearea of the face as the AF area while the CPU 75 instructs the center ofthe object as the AF area when a face has not been detected (stepS22:NO).

Then the CPU 75 determines whether the shutter release button 19 issemi-depressed (step S25). The CPU 75 shifts its processing to step S21when a face has not been detected (step S25:NO). While when a face hasbeen detected (step S25:YES), the AE/AWB processing portion 63 carriesout the AE processing on the basis of the result of detection whether aface has been detected (step S26). Though may be carried out on thebasis of the same area as the AF area determined in step S23 or step S24at this time but the AE processing need not be limited thereto. Then,the AF processing portion 62 carries out the AF processing on the basisof the AF area determined in step S23 or step S24 (step S27).

Then the CPU 75 determines whether the shutter release button 19 isfull-depressed (step S28). When the shutter release button 19 is notfull-depressed (step S28:NO), the CPU 75 further determines whether theshutter release button 19 is semi-depressed (step S29). When the shutterrelease button 19 is not semi-depressed (step S29:NO), the CPU 75 shiftsits processing to step S21. When the shutter release button 19 issemi-depressed (step S29:YES), the CPU 75 shifts its processing to stepS28. When the shutter release button 19 is full-depressed (stepS28:YES), the timer system of the self-timer photographing portion 66 isstarted to measure lapse of the predetermined waiting time to the timethat a running image is actually taken, or is started to count down(step S30).

Then the CPU 75 determines whether the waiting time becomes 0 or thecount reaches 0 (step S31). When the count is not 0 (step S31:NO), theCPU 75 shifts its processing to step S30. While when the count is 0(step S31:YES), the CPU 75 determines whether a face has been detected(step S32).

When a face has been detected (step S32:YES), the CPU 75 instructs thearea of the face as the AF area (step S33) while the CPU 75 determines(step S35) whether the area of the face has been set as the preceding AFarea, that is, whether the area of the face has been set as the AF areain step S23 when a face has not been detected (step S32:NO). When thearea of the face has not been set as the AF area in step S23 (stepS35:NO), the CPU 75 sets the center of the object as the AF area (stepS36). When the AF area is set in step S33 or step S36, the AF processingis carried out on the basis of the set AF area (step S34), a runningimage is started to be exposed (step S37). When the area of the face hasbeen set as the AF area in step S23, a running image is directly startedto be exposed without the AF processing (step S37).

Though, in this embodiment, only the AF processing (step S34) is carriedout immediately before the running image-taking, the present inventionneed not be limited to this arrangement, but the AE processing may bedone before step S34.

Determination in step S32, where whether a face has been detected isdetermined by the CPU 75, is carried out only when the face detectingbutton 27 is ON (step S21:YES), and when the face detecting button 27 isOFF (step S21:NO), the CPU 75 determines the center of the object as theAf area when the shutter release button 19 is semi-depressed in step S25(step S25:YES), while when the count is 0 in step S31 (step S30:YES), arunning image is directly started to be exposed without the AFprocessing (step S37). At this time, the AF processing where the centerof the object is determined to be the Af area need not be limited towhen the shutter release button 19 is semi-depressed but may be, forinstance, when the count is 0 in step S31.

Then, when a running image is exposed (step S37), the running imageobtained by the running image-taking is image-processed by the imageprocessing portion 64 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S7). At this time, therunning image processed by the image processing portion 64 may becompressed by the compression/expansion processing portion 67 togenerate an image file.

Then the CPU 75 displays the running image processed by the imageprocessing portion 64 and records the same on the external recordingmedium 70 (step S8). Thereafter, the CPU 75 determines whether the powerswitch 22 has been operated to turn off the power (step S9). When thepower switch 22 has been operated to turn off the power (step S9:YES),the power of the digital camera 1 is turned off and the processing isended. When the power switch 22 has not been operated to turn off thepower (step S9:NO), the processing is shifted to step S1 and theprocessing represented by step S1 and the following steps are repeated.Thus, the image taking by the digital camera 1 is done.

Examples of the AF processing are shown in the following tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 when release button is semi-depressed immediately beforeexposure result of detection AF processing result of detection AFprocessing 1 detected(face F1) AF(F1 as AF area) detected(face F2)re-AF(F2 as AF area) 2 NON-DETECTED AF(center as AF area) detected(faceF2) re-AF(F2 as AF area) 3-1 detected(face F1) AF(F1 as AF area)NON-DETECTED re-AF is not done 3-2 detected(face F1) AF(F1 as AF area)NON-DETECTED re-AF(center as AF area) 4-1 NON-DETECTED AF(center as AFarea) NON-DETECTED re-AF(center as AF area) 4-2 NON-DETECTED AF(centeras AF area) NON-DETECTED re-AF is not done

TABLE 2 immediately before exposure result of detection AF processing 1detected(face F2) AF(F2 as AF area) 2 NON-DETECTED AF(center as AF area)

Though, the AF processing of this embodiment is carried out by settingthe AF areas as shown in 1, 2, 3-1 and 4-1 of table 1 as described abovein conjunction with FIG. 5, this invention need not be limited to suchan arrangement but, for instance, the center of the object as the AFarea may be set as shown in 3-2 of table 1 and the AF processing may becarried out again instead of carrying out no AF processing again asshown in 3-1 of table 1 when no face has been detected in step S32 aftercarrying out the AF processing in step S27 of FIG. 5 by setting the AFarea as the area of the face. Further, when no face has been detected instep S32 after carrying out the AF processing in step S27 of FIG. 5 bysetting the AF area as the center of the object, for instance, the AFprocessing need not be carried out as shown in 4-2 of table 1 instead ofcarrying out the AF processing again as shown in 4-1 of table 1 bysetting the AF area as the center of the object.

Though, in this embodiment, the AF processing is carried out when theshutter release button 19 is semi-depressed and immediately beforeexposure of a running image, this invention need not be limited to suchan arrangement but, for instance, the AF processing may be carried outonly immediately before exposure of a running image. In this case, whenthe CPU 75 determines that a face has been detected immediately beforeexposure of a running image as shown in table 2, the CPU 75 carries outthe AF processing by setting the AF area as the area of the face whilewhen the CPU 75 determines that a face has not been detected, the CPU 75carries out the AF processing by setting the AF area as the center ofthe object. The “immediately before exposure of a running image” meansthe time when the shutter release button 19 is full depressed and a timebetween the shutter release button 19 is full depressed and the runningimage is exposed.

Though, in this embodiment, the AE processing and/or the AF processingare carried out at the timing described above, this invention need notbe limited to such an arrangement but, for instance, the AE processingand/or the AF processing may be carried out after the number of theobjective body is increased. In the self-timer photographing, it isoften the case that the photographer himself or herself is an object. Inthis case, the photographer cannot be in the field of coverage when theshutter release button 19 is full depressed but can be in the field ofcoverage immediately before exposure of the running image.

Accordingly, by always confirming the number of faces detected by theface detecting portion 65 and by determining that the photographerhimself or herself is in the field of coverage when the number of facesincreases, the AE processing and/or the AF processing are carried out.FIGS. 6A and 6B show a flowchart of the self-timer photographing whenthe AE processing and/or the AF processing are carried out after thenumber of faces increases. Since processing in FIG. 6A is the same asthe processing shown in FIG. 5 up to steps S29, the steps analogous tothose shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals and are notdescribed.

When the shutter release button 19 is full depressed in step S28 asshown in FIG. 6A, the face detecting portion 65 of the CPU 75 confirmsthe number A of faces detected by the face detecting portion 65 (stepS121), then the timer system of the self-timer photographing portion 66is started to count down (step S122) as shown in FIG. 6B.

After count down is started, the CPU 75 checks the number B of facesdetected by the face detecting portion 65 (step S123). Then the CPU 75determines whether the number of faces detected by the face detectingportion 65 increases from before the count down, that is, whether B>A(step S124).

When the number of faces detected by the face detecting portion 65increases from before the count down (step S124:YES), the CPU 75determines the face on which the photographing conditions such as the AFare focused, and sets the area of this face as the AF area (step S125)and the AF processing portion 62 carries out the AF processing on thebasis of the set AF area (step S126). The CPU 75 thereafter determineswhether the count reaches 0 (step S127). When the count reaches 0 (stepS127:YES), a running image is exposed on the basis of the data outputfrom the AF processing portion 62 in step S126 (step S128).

When the count is not 0 (step S127:NO), the CPU 75 continues the countdown until the count reaches 0 (step S129), and when the count reaches0, the CPU 75 shifts its processing to step S128 and a running image isexposed (step S128).

When the number of faces detected by the face detecting portion 65 doesnot increase from before the count down (step S124:NO), the CPU 75carries out the same processing as the steps S31 to S36 in FIG. 5 and arunning image is exposed (step S128).

The face detection by the face detecting portion 65 and the count downby the self-timer image-taking portion 66 are carried out during stepsS122 to S128, that is, in parallel to the processing denoted by S′ inFIG. 6B. Further, when the count reaches 0 before the AF processing instep S126 or S34 in S′ in FIG. 6B is completed, the count down may beended and a running image may be exposed (step S128) on the basis ofdata output by the AF processing portion 62 in the preceding AFprocessing or in preceding step S27.

Though the AF processing only is carried out in step S126 or S34, thepresent invention need not be limited to this arrangement but the AEprocessing may be carried out prior to the AF processing.

By thus carrying out a running image taking, for instance, when aphotographer himself or herself is an object, an image where thephotographing conditions such as the AF are focused on the photographerhimself or herself can be obtained since the AF processing is carriedout after the objective body increases, that is, after the photographerhimself or herself goes into the field of coverage. When the AFprocessing is to be done after the count reaches 0, generally there isgenerated a slight time lag between the time at which the count reaches0 and the time at which a running image is exposed. However, when the AFprocessing and/or the AE processing are carried out when the number ofthe face detected increases before the count reaches 0 as in thisembodiment, it can be reduced the time which is required from when thecount reaches 0 to when a running image is exposed and generation ofsaid time lag can be prevented.

Further, in this embodiment, in the case where the photographer himselfor herself is an object, when the photographer himself or herself entersthe field of coverage, there is a fear that the face of the photographeris detected and the AF processing is done before the photographer goesto an intended position, whereby the photographed image is out of focus.

Accordingly, by constantly confirming the number of detected faces andafter lapse of a predetermined time M from when the number of detectedfaces increases, determining that, for instance, the photographerhimself or herself enters the field of coverage and movement of thephotographer himself or herself is completed, the AE processing and/orthe AF processing are done. FIGS. 7A and 7B show a flowchart forillustrating the processing of a self-timer photographing done afterlapse of a predetermined time M from when the number of detected facesincreases. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the steps analogous to those in FIGS. 6Aand 6B will be given the same reference numerals and will not bedescribed, here.

As shown in FIG. 7B, after the CPU 75 determines whether the number offaces detected by the face detecting portion 65 increases from beforethe count down, that is, whether B>A (step S124), the CPU 75 sets 0 to kin order to measure the predetermined time M separately from the timersystem of the self-timer photographing portion 66 (step S130). The valueof the predetermined time M may be arbitrary set by the user.

Then the CPU 75 determines whether the predetermined lapses, or whetherk>M (step S131). When it is determined that k>M (step S131:YES), thereference on which the photographing conditions such as AF is determinedand the area of the face is set as the AF area (step S132) and the AFprocessing is done on the basis of set AF area (step S126).

When it is not determined in step S131 that k>M (step S131:NO), the CPU75 whether the count of the timer system of the self-timer photographingportion 66 reaches 0 (step S133). When the count is 0 (step S133:YES),the CPU 75 shifts it processing to step S132. When the count is not 0(step S133:NO), the CPU 75 shifts it processing to step S131 afterincrementing k by 1 (step S134).

By thus carrying out the self-timer photographing, since the AEprocessing and/or the AF processing are done a predetermined time Mafter increase of the number of detected faces that is, after thephotographer himself or herself enters the field of coverage andmovement to the position intended by the photographer himself or herselfis completed, an image where the photographing conditions such as the AFare surely focused on the photographer himself or herself and thephotographer himself or herself is in focus can be obtained.

Further by doing the AE processing and/or the AF processing apredetermined time after increase of the number of detected fates, itcan be reduced the time which is required from when the count reaches 0to when a running image is exposed as described above and generation ofsaid time lag can be prevented.

The AE processing and/or the AF processing may be done by, for instance,determining that the photographer himself or herself enters the field ofcoverage and movement of the photographer himself or herself iscompleted when the number of detected faces increases and when theresult of detection of face is stabilized by not determining so afterlapse of a predetermined time M from when the number of detected facesincreases. FIGS. 8A and 8B show a flowchart for illustrating theprocessing of a self-timer photographing done when the AE processingand/or the AF processing is done after the number of detected facesincreases and after the result of detection of face is stabilized. InFIGS. 8A and 8B, the steps analogous to those in FIGS. 6A and 6B will begiven the same reference numerals and will not be described, here.

As shown in FIG. 8B, after the CPU 75 determines whether the number ofdetected faces from before the count down, that is, whether B>A (stepS124), the CPU 75 checks the amount of change of each face from the facedetecting history by the face detecting portion 65 (step S140). Thoughbeing an amount of movement of the position of the faces, here, “theamount of change” may be, for instance, the fluctuation of the sizes ofthe faces or the amount of change of the orientations and/or theinclinations of the faces.

Then the CPU 75 checks whether the amount of change of each face isstabilized. When the amount of change is stabilized, that is, when theresult of detection of faces is stabilized (step S141 YES), the CPU 75determines the face on which the photographing conditions such as AF arefocused, and sets the area of the face as the AF area. Then the AFprocessing is carried out on the basis of the set AF area (step S126).When “the amount of change” is smaller than a predetermined thresholdvalue determined in advance, it is determined that an object is still orthe amount of change that is, the result of detection of faces isstabilized. When the amount of change is not stabilized, S141:NO), theCPU 75 determines whether the count by the timer system of theself-timer photographing portion 66 reaches 0 (step S143), and when thecount is 0 (step S143:YES), the CPU 75 shifts its processing to stepS142. When the count is not 0 (step S143:NO), the CPU 75 shifts itsprocessing to step S140.

By thus carrying out the self-timer photographing, since the AFprocessing is done after the photographer himself or herself enters thefield of coverage and movement of the photographer himself or herself iscompleted, an image where the photographing conditions such as the AFare surely focused on the photographer himself or herself and thephotographer himself or herself is in focus can be obtained as in thepreceding embodiments.

Though, in this embodiment, the AE processing and/or the AF processingare carried out at the timing described above, this invention need notbe limited to such an arrangement but, for instance, the timing of theAE processing and/or the AF processing may be set or selectedarbitrarily by the user. FIGS. 9A to 9C are views showing examples ofmenu displays for the self-timer photographing. As shown in FIG. 9A,when the self-timer 92 is selected on the menu screen 91, the timing 93at which the AE processing and the AF processing are carried out may beselected one of, for instance, “in response to a semi-depression of theshutter release button 19” and “immediately before exposure” separatelyfrom each other by ON/OFF 94. When all is set to be OFF, a display that“Please set at least one to be ON” will appear on the monitor 18.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the timing 93 at which the AE processingand the AF processing are carried out may be selected one of a pluralityof timings 95, for instance, “in response to a semi-depression of theshutter release button 19” and “immediately before exposure”.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the self-timer 92 is selected on themenu screen 91, whether a self-photographing mode is to be carried outmay be selected 96. In this case, it is possible to carry out the AEprocessing and the AF processing immediately before exposure when aself-photographing mode is selected and otherwise to carry out the AEprocessing and the AF processing in response to a semi-depression of theshutter release button 19. The “self-photographing” is a method ofphotographing where the photographer himself or herself joins thephotographing as an object.

With this arrangement, when a running image is taken with thephotographer himself or herself as an object, an image with brightnesssuitable to the photographer and/or with focus in the photographer canbe obtained.

In accordance with the digital camera described above, since when arunning image is to be exposed by the use of the self-timerphotographing portion 66, the AE processing and/or the AF processing arecarried out according to the result of the face detection by the AE/AWBprocessing portion 63 and/or the AF processing 62 between when theshutter release button 19 is full-depressed and when a running image isexposed, when a face is detected after the shutter release button 19 isfully depressed, the AE processing and/or the AF processing can be donein the area of the face. Accordingly, for instance, even when thephotographer himself or herself is an object, an image with brightnesssuitable to the photographer and/or with focus in the photographer canbe obtained.

Another digital camera will be described as an image-taking system ofthe present invention, hereinbelow. Since the digital camera of thisembodiment is similar to the digital camera 1 of the above embodiments,the basic parts will not be described, and the flow of the self-timerphotographing, which is different from the above embodiments, will onlybe described. A flowchart of the self-timer photographing in thisembodiment is shown in FIG. 10. Since the self-timer photographing inthis embodiment is the same as FIG. 5 in the flow up to step S49 wherethe count down is started as shown in FIG. 10, steps up to step S49 willnot be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the count down is started (step S49), the CPU75 determines whether the waiting time or the count reaches to apredetermined time N (step S50). When the count is not N (step S50:NO),the CPU 75 shifts its processing to step S49. When the count is N (stepS50:YES), the CPU 75 determines whether a face has been detected (stepS51).

When a face has been detected (step S51:YES), the area of the face isset as the AF area, while when a face has not been detected (stepS51:NO), whether the area of the face has been set as the preceding AFarea that is, whether the area of the face has been set as the AF areain step S42, is determined (step S54). When the area of the face has notbeen set as the AF area in step S42 (step S54:NO), the center of theobject is set as the AF area.

When the AF area is set in step S52 or S55, the AF processing is carriedout on the basis of the set AF area (step S53). Then, the CPU 75determines whether the count reaches 0 (step S56), and when the count is0 (step S56:YES), the CPU 75 exposes a running image on the basis ofdata output from the AF portion 62 in step S53 (step S57).

On the other hand, when the count is not 0 (step S56:NO), the CPU 75shifts its processing to step S57 after continuing the processing untilthe count reaches 0 (step S58) and exposes a running image (step S57).

When the area of the face has been set as the AF area in step S42 (stepS54:YES), the CPU 75 shifts its processing to step S56 without the AFprocessing, and exposes a running image on the basis of data output fromthe AF processing 62 in step S46 when the count reaches 0 (step S57).

By thus carrying out the self-timer image-taking, since whether a facehas been detected is determined by the CPU 75 before the count reaches 0and the AF processing and/or the AE processing are done according to theresult of determination, it can be reduced the time which is requiredfrom when the count reaches 0 to when a running image is exposed. Thecount N may be arbitrarily set by the user.

Further, when the count reaches 0 during steps S50 to S56 in FIG. 10,that is, before the AF processing (step S53) is completed in theprocessing denoted by S′ in FIG. 10, exposure of a running image is done(step S57) after the AF processing (step S53) is completed. The presentinvention need not be limited to this arrangement but, for instance,when the count reaches 0 before the AF processing (step S53) iscompleted, the AF processing in step S53 may be positively ended andexposure of a running image may be carried on the basis of data outputfrom the AF processing 62 in step S46 when the count reaches 0 (stepS57).

The determination in step S51 whether a face has been detected by theCPU 75 is carried out only when the face detecting button 27 is ON (stepS40:YES), and when the face detecting button 27 is OFF (step S40:NO),the CPU 75 determines the center of the object as the Af area inresponse to semi-depression of the shutter release button 19 in step S44(step S44:YES) without the AF processing, and a running image is exposedwhile when the count is 0 in step S56 (step S56:YES), a running image isexposed without the AF processing (step S37). At this time, the AFprocessing where the center of the object is determined to be the Afarea need not be limited to when the shutter release button 19 issemi-depressed but may be, for instance, when the count is 0 in stepS56.

Another digital camera 1-2 will be described as an image-taking systemof the present invention, hereinbelow. FIG. 11 is a block diagramshowing structure of the digital camera 1-2. As shown in FIG. 11, thedigital camera 1-2 is further provided with a setting portion 77 inaddition to the structure of the digital camera 1 of the aboveembodiment, and the face detecting portion 65′ in this embodiment candetect a plurality of faces in different states such as front faces andside faces. In FIG. 11, the parts analogous to those in FIG. 3 will begiven the same reference numerals and will not be described.

The setting portion 77 sets the face detecting condition by the facedetecting portion 65′ to a condition under which one of the faces indifferent states is detected and in this particular embodiment, thesetting is done when the self-timer photographing is turned ON.

Setting of the face detecting condition by the face detecting portion65′ will be described in detail with reference to the drawingshereinbelow. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating setting processingof the face detecting condition and FIGS. 13A and 13B are views forillustrating an example of result of the face detection in the digitalcamera 1-2 processed with setting of the face detecting condition shownin FIG. 12.

For example, when an image is taken with the photographer himself orherself employed as an object in the self-timer image-taking with adigital camera 1-2 controlled to set the AF area in the face toward thecenter when a plurality of faces are detected by the face detectingportion 65′, the photographer himself or herself normally stands infront of the taking lens 20 after full-depressing the shutter releasebutton 19. Accordingly, since the photographer himself or herself cannotknow the accurate position where his or her face is taken, that is, thephotographer himself or herself cannot know whether his or her face istaken near the center, he or she cannot check whether the area of his orher face is in the AF area. Accordingly, it is necessary to surely focusthe photographing conditions such as the AF on the photographer himselfor herself when the self-timer photographing is carried out under thephotographing condition where there is a face other than his or her ownface.

It is often the case that the face of the human which forms the mainobject is directed toward the front of the taking lens 20. When the facedetecting portion 65′ detects, for instance, side faces and front facesas faces in different states, the face detecting portion 65′ detects aside face F1 and a front face F2 which is a main object when a mainobject which the photographer intends (e.g., the photographer himself orherself) is to be taken under the conditions where there is a side faceF1, which the photographer does not intend, near the center of the fieldof coverage. However, since the side face F1 is positioned nearer to thecenter, the area of the side face F1 is set as the AF area as shown inFIG. 13A.

Accordingly, in the digital camera 1-2 of this embodiment, the facedetecting condition is set to detect only the front face when self-timerphotographing is carried out.

In the face detecting condition setting, the CPU 75 first determineswhether the self-timer is ON (step S60) as shown in FIG. 12. When theself-timer is ON (step S60:YES), the setting portion 77 sets the facedetecting condition by the face detecting portion 65′ to detect only thefront face while not to detect the side face (step S61).

When the self-timer is not ON (step S60:NO), the setting portion 77 setsthe face detecting condition by the face detecting portion 65′ to detectboth the front face and the side face (step S62).

By causing the setting portion 77 to set the face detecting condition todetect faces in a limited orientation when self-timer photographing isON, the face detecting portion 65′ can be controlled to detect only thefront face. Since under the same condition as shown in FIG. 13A, theface detecting portion 65′ detects only the front face F2′ as shown inFIG. 13B, the photographing conditions such as the AF can be surelyfocused on the front face of the main object, for instance, thephotographer himself or herself.

Though, in this embodiment, the setting portion 77 sets the facedetecting condition not to detect side faces, the present invention neednot be limited to such an arrangement but the setting portion 77 may setthe face detecting condition not to detect upward-oriented faces,downward-oriented faces, inclined faces or the like.

Further, though, in this embodiment, the setting portion 77 sets theface detecting condition to detect only faces of limited orientations,the present invention need not be limited to such an arrangement but thesetting portion 77 may set the face detecting condition to detect onlyfaces of limited sizes. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for illustrating settingprocessing of the face detecting condition in another embodiment of thepresent invention. FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for illustrating anexample of result of the face detection in the digital camera 1-3processed with setting of the face detecting condition shown in FIG. 14.

When the face detecting portion 65′ in this embodiment detects aplurality of faces in different sizes as faces in different states, theface detecting portion 65′ detects a face of a small size F3 and a faceF4 of a large size (F4>F3) which is a main object when a main objectwhich the photographer intends (e.g., the photographer himself orherself) is to be taken under the conditions where there is a face of asmall size F3, which the photographer does not intend, near the centerof the field of coverage. However, since the face of a small size F3 ispositioned nearer to the center, the area of the face of a small size F3is set as the AF area as shown in FIG. 15A.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the face detecting condition is set todetect only faces which is in a predetermined range in size, e.g., notsmaller than 1/M and not larger than 1/N of the shorter side of theimage, between 1/M and 1/N of the shorter side of the image.

In the face detecting condition setting, the CPU 75 first determineswhether the self-timer is ON (step S70) as shown in FIG. 14. When theself-timer is ON (step S70:YES), the setting portion 77 sets the facedetecting condition by the face detecting portion 65′ to detect only theface in the predetermined range.

When the self-timer is not ON (step S70:NO), the setting portion 77 setsthe face detecting condition by the face detecting portion 65′ to detectall the faces without limiting the size thereof (step S72).

By causing the setting portion 77 to set the face detecting condition todetect faces in a limited size when self-timer photographing is ON, theface detecting portion 65′ can be controlled to detect only faces in apredetermined range in size. Since under the same condition as shown inFIG. 15A, the face detecting portion 65′ detects only the face F4′ ofthe main object in a predetermined range in size as shown in FIG. 15B,the photographing conditions such as the AF can be surely focused on theface of the main object, for instance, the photographer himself orherself.

Though, in this embodiment, the setting portion 77 automatically setsthe face detecting condition in response to setting of the self-timer tobe ON, the present invention need not be limited to such an arrangementbut the setting portion 77 may manually set the face detectingcondition. FIGS. 16A and 16B are views showing examples of menu displaysfor the self-timer photographing.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, when the user selects self-timer 92, theuser selects ON/OFF of the state of the faces to be detected on the menuscreen 91. For example, when the front faces are to be constantlydetected, the setting portion 77 sets face detecting condition by theuser's selection of ON/OFF 98 of whether the side faces are to bedetected as shown in FIG. 16A.

When the state of face to be constantly detected has not beendetermined, the setting portion 77 sets face detecting condition by theuser's selection of ON/OFF 99 of individual states of face as shown inFIG. 16B. FIG. 17 is a view showing a flowchart for illustrating facedetecting condition setting processing of FIG. 16B.

As shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 75 first determines whether the self-timeris ON (step S80). When the self-timer is ON (step S80:YES), the settingportion 77 checks the face detecting condition by the user (step S81).

Then the setting portion 77 first determines whether the front face isON (step S82). When the front face is ON (step S82:YES), the settingportion 77 takes the front face as a face to be detected (step S83) andwhen the front face is not ON (step S82:NO), the setting portion 77takes the front face as a face not to be detected (step S84).

Next the setting portion 77 determines whether the side face is ON (stepS85). When the side face is ON (step S85:YES), the setting portion 77takes the side face as a face to be detected (step S86) and when thefront face is not ON (step S85:NO), the setting portion 77 takes theside face as a face not to be detected (step S87).

Next the setting portion 77 determines whether the upward face is ON(step S88). When the upward face is ON (step S88:YES), the settingportion 77 takes the upward face as a face to be detected (step S89) andwhen the upward face is not ON (step S88:NO), the setting portion 77takes the upward face as a face not to be detected (step S90).

Next the setting portion 77 determines whether the downward face is ON(step S91). When the upward face is ON (step S91:YES), the settingportion 77 takes the upward face as a face to be detected (step S92) andwhen the upward face is not ON (step S91:NO), the setting portion 77takes the upward face as a face not to be detected (step S93).

The setting portion 77 further determines whether all the ON/OFF in FIG.16B is OFF, that is, none of the faces should be detected (step S94).When none of the faces should be detected (step S94:YES), the settingportion 77 makes an alarm that, at least one of the faces should bedetected, on the monitor 18 (step S95) and the CPU 75 shifts itsprocessing to step S81. When all the faces should not be detected (stepS94:NO), the setting portion 77 sets the face determined to be detectedin steps S82 to S83 as the face detecting condition.

When self-timer is not ON in step S80 (step S80:NO), the setting portion77 determines all the faces should be detected (step S96). In thismanner, the setting portion 77 may manually determine the face detectingcondition by the user.

Though the front face, side face, upward face and the downward face areproposed as the states of faces in this embodiment, the inclination offaces may be similarly set.

Though, in the digital camera 1-2 of this embodiment, the settingportion 77 sets the face detecting condition, under which the faces aredetected by the face detecting portion 65′, to be a condition to detectone of the faces in a plurality of different states, this invention neednot be limited to this arrangement. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showingstructure of a digital camera 1-3 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the digital camera 1-3 ofthis embodiment is provided with a selecting portion 78 for selectingone of the faces in a plurality of different states instead of thesetting portion 77 of the digital camera 1-2.

The selecting portion 78 sets a selecting condition in substantially thesame manner as in the face detecting condition setting (FIGS. 12 and14), and, for instance, when a side face F1 and a front face F2 aredetected as shown in FIG. 13A, selects only the front face F2′ withoutselecting the side face F1 as shown in FIG. 13B, whereby thephotographing conditions such as the AF are focused on the selectedfront face F2′.

Further, the selecting portion 78, for instance, when a small face F3and a face F4 which is in the desired range in size are detected asshown in FIG. 15A, selects only the face F4′ in the desired range insize without selecting the small face F4 as shown in FIG. 15B, wherebythe photographing conditions such as the AF are focused on the selectedlarge face F4′.

When, after the faces in different states are detected by the facedetecting portion 65′, one of them are selected and the photographingconditions such as the AF are focused on the selected face, it ispossible to surely focusing the photographing conditions such as the AFon the face of the main object.

Further, the selecting portion 78 may be set not to select facesdetected by the face detecting portion 65′ which is larger influctuation than a predetermined value. FIG. 19A is a part of a viewshowing a flowchart for illustrating the self-timer photographing takinginto account the fluctuation of the face, FIG. 19B is the other part ofa view showing a flowchart for illustrating the same, and FIGS. 20A and20B are views for illustrating another example of result of the acedetection respectively showing without and with taking into account theamount of fluctuation. In FIGS. 19A and 19B, the steps analogous tothose shown in FIG. 5 will be given the same reference numerals and willnot be described.

When the digital camera 1-3 is controlled to set the AF area in the areaof the face nearest to the center when a plurality of faces are detectedby the face detecting portion 65′, since the human who is the mainobject generally does not move before a running image is taken, theselecting portion 78 does not select the face large in fluctuation sothat the photographing conditions such as the AF are not focused on theface which is large in fluctuation.

Specifically, when a face has been detected in step S32 (step S32:YES),the selecting portion 78 checks the fluctuation of each face from thedetecting history (step S100), and does not select faces large influctuation so that the photographing conditions such as the AF are notfocused on the face which is large in fluctuation (step S101).

Then the CPU 75 determines whether there is a face on which thephotographing conditions such as the AF are focused (step S102). Whenthere is a face on which the photographing conditions are focused (stepS102:YES), the CPU 75 determines the face to be a face on which thephotographing conditions are focused (step S103), and sets the area ofthe face as the AF area (step 8104).

When there is no face on which the photographing conditions are focusedin step S102 (step S102:NO), the CPU 75 shifts its processing to stepS35.

For example, when the face detecting portion 65′ detects a face A of ahuman P1 which is a main object intended by the photographer in the leftside of the field of coverage and a face B of a human P2 which is anobject not intended by the photographer in the right side end portion ofthe field of coverage at time t1 as respectively shown in left ones ofFIGS. 20A and 20B, and detects at time t2 after the time t1 a face A′ ofa human P1 who is in substantially the same position in the field ofcoverage, that is, who is smaller in movement than a predetermined valueand a face B′ of a human P2 who moved to the center from the right sideend portion in the field of coverage, that is, who is larger in movementthan a predetermined value, the photographing conditions are focused onthe face A nearer to the center than the face B at the time t1 while thephotographing conditions are focused on the face B which comes nearer tothe center than the face A by the movement at the time t2 after the timet1 as shown in right ones of FIGS. 20A and 20B, in the case where thefluctuation is not taken into account.

On the other hand, in the case where the fluctuation is taken intoaccount as described above, since the selecting portion 78 does notselect the face B′ of the human P2 which is large in movement, thephotographing conditions are focused on the face A′ of the human P1which is small in movement, whereby the photographing conditions such asthe AF are surely focused on the main object such as the photographerhimself or herself.

Though the movement of position of faces has been described in thisembodiment as an example of the amount of fluctuation, the presentinvention need not be limited to this arrangement but the amount offluctuation may be, for instance, the fluctuation of the size of theface, or the rate of change of the orientation or of the inclination ofthe faces.

A digital camera in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention will be described, hereinbelow. Since the digital camera ofthis embodiment is the same as the digital camera 1-3 of the aboveembodiment in structure, flow of the self-timer photographing, which isthe different part, only will be described. In FIGS. 21A and 21B, thesteps analogous to those shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B will be given thesame reference numerals and will not be described.

In the embodiment described above, a slight time lag is generated beforethe running image is exposed after the count reaches 0 since theselecting portion 78 carries out the steps S100 to S104 that is, fromchecking of the fluctuation to setting of the Af area and the AEprocessing and/or the AF processing are carried out after the countreaches 0 in step S31 in FIG. 19B.

In the self-timer photographing of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.21B, the CPU 75 determines whether the waiting time or the count reachesa predetermined time N (step S110) in response to start of the countdown (step S30). When the count is not N (step S110:NO), the CPU 75shifts its processing to step S30. When the count is N (step S110:YES),the CPU 75 determines whether a face has been detected (step S32). Whena face has been detected (step S32:YES), the CPU 75 carries out thesteps S100 to S104 that is, from checking of the fluctuation to settingof the Af area and the AE portion 62 executes the AF processing on thebasis of the set Af area (step S34).

Then the CPU 75 determines whether the count reaches 0 (step S111). Whenthe count reaches 0 (step S111:YES), a running image is exposed (stepS37) on the basis of the data output from the AF processing portion 62in step S34.

When the count is not 0 (step S111:NO), the CPU 75 continues count downuntil the count reaches 0 (step S112) and a running image is exposed inthe step S37 when the count reaches 0 (step S37).

When the area of the face has been set as the AF area in step S23, theCPU 75 shifts its processing to step S111 without the AF processing andwhen the count reaches 0, exposes a running image on the basis of dataoutput from the AF processing portion 62 in step S27 (step S37).

By thus exposing a running image upon self-timer photographing, sincethe selecting portion 78 carries out the steps S100 to S104 that is,from checking of the fluctuation to setting of the Af area and the AEprocessing and/or the AF processing are carried out before the countreaches 0, the time which is required from when the count reaches 0 towhen a running image, that is, the time lag is exposed can be reduced.The count N may be arbitrarily set by the user.

When the count reaches 0 between steps S110 and S111 in FIG. 21B, thatis, in S′ in FIG. 21B before the AF processing (step S34) is completed,a running image is exposed (step S37) after the AF processing (step S34)is completed. The present invention need not be limited to thisarrangement but, when the count reaches 0 before the AF processing (stepS34) is completed, for instance the AF processing in step S34 may bepositively ended and exposure of a running image may be carried on thebasis of data output from the AF processing 62 in the preceding the AFprocessing or step S27 when the count reaches 0 (step S37).

Though in the digital camera of the preceding embodiment, thedetermination whether a face has been detected by the CPU 75 is carriedout and the AF area is set before the shutter release button 19 issemi-depressed (step S25 or S44) in FIG. 5, 6A, 7A, 8A, 10, 19A or 21A,the present invention need not be limited to this arrangement but, forinstance, they may be done after the shutter release button 19 issemi-depressed (step S25 or S44).

Though in the embodiments described above, a face is employed as thepredetermined objective body, the present invention need not be limitedto this arrangement but any objective body may be employed. Further,though in the embodiments described above, the center of the object isset as the AF area when no face has been detected, the present inventionneed not be limited to this arrangement but any part on the object maybe set as the AF area.

The image taking system of the present invention may be further providedwith a transmitting means which when no face has been detected before arunning image is exposed, informs of the photographer and/or a personwhose image is to be taken that no face has been detected. Thetransmitting means may transmit that a face is detected. FIG. 22 is aperspective view showing the digital camera 1-4 which is added with thetransmitting means to the structure of FIG. 22 as viewed from front, andFIG. 23 is a block diagram showing function of the digital camera 1-4.

During the face detection by the face detecting portion 65 or 651, thephotographer is normally possible to check whether a face has beendetected through a detecting frame or the like which surrounds thedetected face and is displayed on the monitor 18 (FIG. 1) on the back ofthe camera body 10.

However, in the self-timer image-taking or the like where thephotographer himself or herself is an object, since the photographer hasto move to the front of the camera, it is very difficult to checkwhether a face has been detected in the above manner. Accordingly, thedigital camera 1-4 of this embodiment is provided with a transmittingmeans which informs of the object whether a face has been detected.

In the digital camera 1-4 of this embodiment, for instance, aninformation transmitting portion 79 (FIG. 23) and an informationdisplaying portion 18′ (FIG. 22) such as a liquid crystal monitor fordisplaying information transmitted by the information transmittingportion 79 are provided and o is displayed on the information displayingportion 18′ when a face is detected, while x is displayed on theinformation displaying portion 18′ when a face is not detected.

With this arrangement, even in the self-timer image-taking or the likewhere the photographer himself or herself is an object, it becomespossible to check whether a face has been detected. Accordingly, thephotographer can check that the photographer is not in the field ofcoverage and can enter the field of coverage, whereby a failure ofphotographing can be prevented.

The information transmitting portion 79 may display the number of thedetected faces when a face is detected or may display a detecting frameas in the monitor 18 (FIG. 23) on the back of the camera body 10. In thecase, where whether the number of the detected faces increases ischecked by the face detecting portion 65 or 65′, that the number of thedetected faces increases may be displayed when the number of thedetected faces increases.

The information transmitting portion 79 may transmit whether a face isdetected by ON/OFF of a light emitting element not by displayingcharacters or marks. In this case, it is not necessary to provide anadditional information displaying portion 18′, and it is possible to usethe AF auxiliary light 28 on the front of the digital camera. When theAF auxiliary light 28 is used, the AF auxiliary light 28 may be causedto emit light in a manner different from the normal AF auxiliary light28. For example, the AF auxiliary light 28 may blink.

Further, the information transmitting portion 79 may transmit notvisually but phonetically by emitting a sound information such as avoice or a sound toward the object.

A plurality of information transmitting means of various kinds may beprepared so that one of them can be arbitrary selected or set by theuser.

Though digital cameras in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention have been described above, a digital camera which is providedwith, instead of or in addition to the self-timer photographing portion66, an automatic image-taking portion which starts exposure of a runningimage by causing a depression signal of the shutter release button 19 tobe output at a predetermined timing and carries out automatic imagetaking is also one of embodiments of the present invention. In thiscase, whether an objective body is detected is determined at least oncewhen the shutter release button 19 outputs the depression signal andbetween a time when the shutter release button 19 outputs the depressionsignal and a time when a running image is exposed, the AE processingand/or the AF processing are done according to the result ofdetermination.

The image taking system of the present invention may be suitably changedin the design thereof in the range not to depart from the spirit of thepresent invention without being limited to the digital camera describedabove.

1. An image taking system comprising an image taking means which takesan image of an object to generate image data on the image, an objectivebody detecting means which detects a predetermined objective body fromthe image data, an exposure determination means which determines theexposure conditions according to result of detection of thepredetermined objective body, a focusing means which determines thefocusing position according to result of detection of the predeterminedobjective body, an image taking instructing means which instructs to animage taking means to take a running image according to exposureconditions and a focusing position, respectively determined by theexposure determination means and, the focusing means, and a self-timermeans which permits taking a running image after a predetermined timefrom instruction of an image taking designating means, and/or anautomatic image taking means which permits taking the running image at apredetermined timing, wherein the improvement comprises that when arunning image is to be taken by the use of the self-timer means or theautomatic image taking means, exposure conditions and/or a focusingposition are determined by the exposure determination means and thefocusing means according to result of detection of the predeterminedobjective body at least once between the time when instruction to take arunning image is done by the image taking instructing means and the timewhen the running image is actually taken.
 2. An image-taking system asdefined in claim 1 in which when a running image is to be taken by theuse of a self-timer means, exposure conditions and/or a focusingposition are determined by an exposure determination means and afocusing means according to result of detection of an objective body atleast once a predetermined time after instruction to take a runningimage is done by the image taking instructing means.
 3. An image-takingsystem as defined in claim 1 in which when a running image is to betaken by the use of the self-timer means, exposure conditions and/or afocusing position are determined by the exposure determination means andthe focusing means according to result of detection of the predeterminedobjective body at least once during a predetermined time from the timewhen instruction to take the running image is done by the image takinginstructing means.
 4. An image-taking system as defined in claim 1 inwhich when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timermeans or an automatic image taking means, exposure conditions and/or afocusing position are determined by the exposure determination meansand/or the focusing means irrespective of result of detection of theobjective body when a running image is taken in response to instructionby image taking instructing means.
 5. An image-taking system as definedin claim 1 in which when a running image is to be taken by the use ofthe self-timer means, exposure conditions and/or a focusing position aredetermined by the exposure determination means and the focusing meansaccording to result of detection of the objective body at least once ata predetermined time during a predetermined time from the time wheninstruction to take the running image is done by the image takinginstructing means.
 6. An image-taking system as defined in claim 1 inwhich exposure conditions and/or a focusing position are determined bythe exposure determination means and/or the focusing means when aplurality of object bodies are detected by the objective body detectingmeans or a predetermined time thereafter.
 7. An image-taking system asdefined in claim 1 in which when an objective body is detected by theobjective body detecting means, a focusing position be determined in anarea of the objective body by the focusing means, while when anobjective body is not detected by the objective body detecting means, afocusing position is determined in a predetermined area by the focusingmeans.
 8. An image-taking system as defined in claim 1 in which when afirst focusing position is determined by a focusing means before animage taking instructing means instructs to the image taking means totake a running image, the first focusing position is determined in anarea of the objective body by a focusing means when a predeterminedobjective body is detected by an objective body detecting means, andwhen an image taking instructing means instructs to the image takingmeans to take a running image, after the first focusing position isdetermined, a second focusing position is determined by a focusing meanswhen a predetermined objective body is detected by an objective bodydetecting means after the first focusing position is determined whilewhen the image taking instructing means instructs to the image takingmeans to take a running image, after the first focusing position isdetermined, a focusing position is not determined by the focusing meanswhen a predetermined objective body is not detected by the objectivebody detecting means after the first focusing position is determined. 9.An image-taking system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a modeselecting means for selecting a particular image taking mode andexecuting the same, and when a particular image taking mode is selectedby way of a mode selecting means to take a running image by the use ofthe self-timer means or the automatic image taking means, exposureconditions and/or a focusing position are determined according to resultof detection of a predetermined objective body by the exposuredetermination means and/or the focusing means between the time wheninstruction to take the running image is done by an image takinginstructing means and the time when the running image is actually taken.10. An image-taking system as defined in claim 9 in which a particularimage taking mode is self-photographing mode where an image of userhimself or herself is taken or face detection-using image taking modewhere the objective body is a face.
 11. An image-taking system asdefined in claim 9 in which when a running image is to be taken by theuse of the self-timer means or the automatic image taking means only byselecting a particular image taking mode by way of the mode selectingmeans, exposure conditions and/or a focusing position are determined bythe exposure determination means and/or the focusing means in responseto instruction to take the running image from the image takinginstructing means.
 12. An image-taking system as defined in claim 1 inwhich when a running image is to be taken by the use of the self-timermeans or the automatic image taking means, exposure conditions and/or afocusing position are determined by the exposure determination meansand/or the focusing means after objective bodies detected by theobjective body detecting means increases in number.
 13. An image-takingsystem as defined in claim 1 in which when a running image is to betaken by the use of the self-timer means or the automatic image takingmeans, exposure conditions and/or a focusing position may be determinedby the exposure determination means and/or the focusing means apredetermined time after objective bodies detected by the objective bodydetecting means increases in number.
 14. An image-taking system asdefined in claim 1 in which when a running image is to be taken by theuse of the self-timer means or the automatic image taking means,exposure conditions and/or a focusing position are determined by theexposure determination means and/or the focusing means after objectivebodies detected by the objective body detecting means increases innumber and result of detection of an objective body is stabilized. 15.An image taking system comprising an image taking means which takes animage of an object to generate image data on the image, an objectivebody detecting means which detects a predetermined objective body froman image data, an exposure determination means which determines theexposure conditions according to result of detection of a predeterminedobjective body, a focusing means which determines the focusing positionaccording to result of detection of a predetermined objective body, animage taking instructing means which instructs to the image taking meansto take a running image according to the exposure conditions and thefocusing position, respectively determined by the exposure determinationmeans and, the focusing means, and a self-timer means which permitstaking the running image after a predetermined time from instruction ofan image taking designating means, and/or an automatic image takingmeans which permits taking the running image at a predetermined timing,wherein the improvement comprises in that when the running image is tobe taken by the use of a self-timer means and an automatic image takingmeans, the timing at which the exposure conditions and/or the focusingposition are determined according to result of detection of apredetermined objective body can be arbitrarily determined by the user.16. An image-taking system as defined in claim 1 further comprising asetting means which sets detecting conditions by the objective bodydetecting means to a condition where one of a plurality of objectivebodies in different states is detected and/or a selection means forselecting one of a plurality of objective bodies in different statesdetected by the objective body detecting means.
 17. An image-takingsystem as defined in claim 16 in which setting by the setting means orselection by the selection means is done when a running image is takenby the use of the self-timer means or the automatic image taking means.18. An image-taking system as defined in claim 16 in which the pluralityof objective bodies in different states are a plurality of objectivebodies which are different in orientations, in sizes, or ininclinations.
 19. An image-taking system as defined in claim 17 in whichthe plurality of objective bodies in different states are a plurality ofobjective bodies which are different in orientations, in sizes, or ininclinations.
 20. An image-taking system as defined in claim 16 in whichthe selection means does not select the objective body the amount offluctuation of which is larger than a predetermined value.
 21. Animage-taking system as defined in claim 17 in which the selection meansdoes not select the objective body the amount of fluctuation of which islarger than a predetermined value.
 22. An image-taking system as definedin claim 16 in which when a running image is to be taken by the use of aself-timer means, the detection by the objective body detecting means orselection by the selection means is done at a predetermined time duringa predetermined time.
 23. An image-taking system as defined in claim 17in which a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timermeans, the detection by the objective body detecting means or selectionby the selection means is done at a predetermined time during apredetermined time.
 24. An image-taking system as defined in claim 16 inwhich setting by the setting means or selection by the selection meansis arranged to be able to be done arbitrarily by the user.
 25. Animage-taking system as defined in claim 17 in which setting by thesetting means or selection by the selection means is arranged to be ableto be done arbitrarily by the user.
 26. An image-taking system asdefined in claim 1 further comprising a transmission means transferringto the user that a predetermined objective body is not detected yet whenthe predetermined objective body is not detected by the objective bodydetecting means.
 27. An image-taking system as defined in claim 16further comprising a transmission means transferring to the user that apredetermined objective body is not detected yet when the predeterminedobjective body is not detected by the objective body detecting means.28. An image-taking system as defined in claim 17 further comprising atransmission means transferring to the user that a predeterminedobjective body is not detected yet when the predetermined objective bodyis not detected by the objective body detecting means.
 29. Animage-taking system as defined in claim 26 in which a plurality oftransmission means are provided and one of the transmission means can bearbitrary selected or set by the user.
 30. An image-taking system asdefined in claim 27 in which a plurality of transmission means areprovided and one of the transmission means can be arbitrary selected orset by the user.
 31. An image-taking system as defined in claim 28 inwhich a plurality of transmission means are provided and one of thetransmission means can be arbitrary selected or set by the user.